My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the

is so

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

which happened to be a little girl in

sing the

Rachel must close her

must blow

to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go

and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

in your

lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with

children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the

to say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As for

anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

turned and headed

was inside her apartment and about to close

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the

he out on business? she

house and shut

you’ve been

she took two steps back. Why are

pulled

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

step he approached her, forcing her back

Rachel had no idea what she did

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the